The Dark Crystal prequel is coming to Netflix, and you could design a creature for the series

As we continue our celebration of the films of the summer of 1982, who could forget the fantasy that maintained its status as the most beloved of fantasy film creations for decades to come: Frank Oz and Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal. Thirty-five years later fans can return again to the world of Thra as an all-new adventure is coming your way: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. The 10-episode fantasy adventure series, available exclusively on Netflix, is a prequel that takes place many years before the events of the original film. The series is being filmed in the U.K. and will star an ensemble of fantastical, state-of-the-art creatures created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, conceptual designer for The Dark Crystal Brian Froud, and possibly by you.

When three young Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis’ power, they set out on an epic journey to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world. This brief description and an introductory video (below), is all that has been released so far for the new series–until this month’s contest.

Contestants are asked to draw, by hand or digitally, an original creature concept for the world of The Dark Crystal and submit their designs online. The winner will be awarded $500 and the winning concept design will be crafted and built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to make a possible cameo appearance in the upcoming series. This small, woodland creature must be a brand new concept – it cannot be a variation of an existing species from the original film. All ideas are welcome, as long as they feel true to the world of The Dark Crystal, without being a variation of an existing Brian Froud drawing. Contestants should also provide a paragraph of 50–100 words about the creature, including its name and back story.

Director Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk) is director of the series, produced by The Jim Henson Company, and executive-produced by Letterier, Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford. Longtime Henson collaborator Rita Peruggi will serve as producer and Henson’s Blanca Lista will serve as a co-executive producer. Co-executive producers Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (Life in a Year), and Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The 100) are the show’s writers.

Netflix has not yet announced a release date for the series. But while you’re waiting, get the new book on the original film, The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History (to be reviewed soon here at borg.com) available for pre-order now here at Amazon. And Entertainment Earth is offering a Funko Pop! figure of Jen available here and a pillow inspired by the film here.